Lehigh Valley residents should take shelter from extremely cold temperatures and high winds as the region feels a blast of Arctic air this weekend.
The region remains under an extreme cold warning and a high wind advisory Saturday, with wind chills dropping as low as minus 20 overnight, and winds gusting up to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The wind advisory will be in effect until midnight while the cold warning will be in place until noon Sunday.
Combined with very cold air, the high winds will lead to “very dangerous” wind chills, according to the weather service. Overnight wind chill values in the Lehigh Valley are expected to be between minus 10 and minus 20, but in the Poconos, they could drop as low as 30 below zero.
In addition to the dangerous cold, the high winds will pose a threat in the form of downed limbs and power lines, which could lead to power outages.
As of 1 p.m., PPL reported about 700 customers without power around the Lehigh Valley, almost entirely in Lehigh County. Met-Ed reported several hundred customers without power in Northampton County.
Shelters open
A Lehigh County news release on Friday shared several resources people can seek shelter.
They include:
Ripple Community Inc., which is open until 5 p.m. Saturday at 1335 W. Linden St. in Allentown.
Neighborhood House at Christ Lutheran Church, which is open 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at 1245 W. Hamilton St. in Allentown. Breakfast and to-go lunch will be provided.
River Crossing YMCA, which operates 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. all week at 425 S. 15th St. in Allentown. Intake hours are 7-9 p.m. Amenities include dinner, a bed and showers.
The Allentown Rescue Mission shelter, which is open all day Saturday and Sunday and accepts men 18 years or older at 356 W. Court St. in Allentown. ID is required for intake. Amenities include a bed and meals.
Families with children who need help can also call the 24/7 hotline for Lehigh County Children & Youth Services at 1-800-932-0313.
This story will be updated.